We've had such a beautiful week here in Montreal - beautiful enough to start the spring cleaning of the backyard which was in pretty rough shape from winter.
Especially on these 2 benches I've had for at least 10 years.
They sat outside in the front last summer as plant stands - but they aren't very curb appeal worthy
looking like this - ( which was why I hid them completely with plants lol )
I pulled out some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Emperor's silk - and gave them a new life yesterday -
Each bench took 10 minutes !
It was a very quick coat obviously - I didn't want perfection - and when using chalk paint on outdoor furniture you don't wax ( it'll melt with the hot sun ) so that eliminated the process I love most ( NOT )
As much as I tend to stick with whites and greys on the inside of the house - I really do love color on the outside !
Maybe this year they'll actually be used as benches to sit on now that they've been cleaned up!
And do you remember my outdoor kitchen unit I painted last year ( you can see that post HERE )
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I was fully prepared to see the paint peeling off it everywhere with the snow we had this winter...........
But it held up beautifully !
Rustoleum !
That impresses me almost as much as the weather we've had this week !
I can't wait for summer to be in full force
and the back yard bursting with color
But for now I have to be contented with a couple of little red benches !
( that tree behind the bench is where a fairy garden will soon reside )
Much love,
Me
LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !
THE CHARM OF HOME TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS
LOVE BAKES GOOD CAKES THE SHABBY NEST
THE CARDS WE DREW THE GIRL CREATIVE
FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS PIECED PASTIMES
ONE MORE TIME EVENTS THE DIY SHOWOFF
I SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR UNCOMMON DESIGNS
BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH
SAND & SISAL A STROLL THRU LIFE
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT KATHE WITH AN E
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY HOMESTORIES A TO Z
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NO MINIMALIST HERE FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
PIECED PASTIMES
So sp pretty!
ReplyDeleteGreat makeover! I love the color. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteThose look great, Suzan. I have to say I am always shocked to see you use COLOR. lol That back area is really beautiful with the pool and patio. You will love it this summer, I know. I told John I am putting RED geraniums out front this summer (his favorite) and he about fell over. I just need some COLOR after this long hard GREY winter. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you are having warm and sunny days...I'm doing the same outside. Sprucing up for the summer. Love your benches, Suze. xo
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are finally getting Spring there. I love the benches and I would use them as benches not plant stands. Some pretty pillows on them and what a great place to sit and relax. I also love color in the gardens - I like them to pop.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in your garden.....
Hugs
Mary
Well, that red bench would fit right in at my house!
ReplyDeleteGreat benches and I like the red colour. Looking good. We need to sand and re-stain our 2 cedar Merrimack lawn chairs this spring and I'm trying to decide on a colour that will go with our 'natural cedar' stained deck. It's much colder here today - only 6 and windy too. Brr. It will be nice to be able to get out and do yard cleanup and deck decorating. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is great to be able to get out and do things in the yard,that is my favorite place to be. I love your benches.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marlene - I love being out there too - it feels like freedom after the winter lol
Deletexoxo
I love your little red bench! Have you used chalk paint for outdoor furniture before? I was wondering how it will hold up, I have a few pieces in my yard in need of paint !!!
ReplyDeleteI love your benches, especially in the red, fabulous! You lucky girl, you will have beautiful peonies to reward your hard work in the yard. I could cry I love your garden so much. Here? Well it's a rats nest of a bulb here or there, no rhyme or reason, so it all must be torn out (loads of work) then redone. I am sore and tired and extremely grumpy just thinking of it. Oh, and scrapping exterior wood to repaint the whole exterior. Better stock up on wine... xo Patty
ReplyDeleteYou are further along then we are in NJ. The weather has been crazy. One minute cool. Then a nit warm. Mostly cloudy with little sun. We do need rain.
ReplyDeleteTable is great
Cindy
I'll take a little red anywhere, Suzan! So pretty!
ReplyDeletethat outdoor kitchen...AWESOME...I'm emailing this to my girl..and we'll start looking for one to re-do for her beautiful patio...
ReplyDeleteand I can't wait for you to teach us how to do a fairy garden.
I have to tell you that in a post, I mentioned.....WAIT...I can't write that...never mind.
And, tell me what JOHN said when you wanted a fairy garden....LOL...WAIT...you can't write that, either. LOL
Such a pretty color! I didn't know that you could let things that are painted with chalk paint get wet!
ReplyDeleteFairy garden? You must be expecting a girl grandbaby.
ReplyDeleteWow, never thought of that, please will you share with y readers http://prettyshabbyuk.blogspot.co.uk
ReplyDeleteWow, never thought of that, please will you share with y readers http://prettyshabbyuk.blogspot.co.uk
ReplyDeleteLove the looks of your red benches. They will really bring that 'pop' of color to your garden / seating area.
ReplyDeleteGreat that your outdoor kitchen unit held up and is already and waiting to be used.
That Rustoleum is wonderful stuff
The red benches are so cheerful! I'm sure your guests will all want to sit on them! After reading your post, I realized the green bench and chair on our front porch are definitely in need of freshening up--I hadn't thought about using ASCP on them. That opens up a lot of color possibilities I had not considered before. Yay! There is a place at the foot of a tree in our backyard that could host a fairy garden, so I am looking forward to seeing yours and getting all inspired to start mine. Thanks for sharing your luscious and inviting yard with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ruth !
DeleteIt's a wonderful " outdoor " paint !
Have yourself a great weekend
xoxox
What a beautiful pop of color the red adds! I have to say your backyard is just gorgeous and I love your outdoor kitchen. On a sad note, I saw three, yes three MOSQUITOES yesterday.......nooooooooooo!
ReplyDeleteLove the benches RED. My outdoor metal cabinet looks like your "before" ... I think I will paint it the color of yours. Will have to take a look and see what color you used.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Timeless Treasures with a sweet comment on my old kitchen table.
Hugs,
Audrey
So pretty. love the color you chose Suzan. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy
ReplyDeleteI see red and white geraniums!
ReplyDeleteEvery garden needs a shot of red - I turned a pallet into a potting bench for my "red fix" - but I can see that adding a bench might be on my to-do list as well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFound you through Between Naps on the Porch
Shelly @ 100Things2Do.ca
Love the benches, i want to add pops of red to my yard, such a cheerful colour! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks so much !!!
DeleteLove the red! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the color! So good to know that your painted kitchen unit held up over the winter. Thanks so much Suzan for sharing at VIParty.
ReplyDeleteLove the red bench and wow can't believe how the Rustoleum paint on your kitchen unit held up through the winter we just had. You should drop them a note with a picture!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to SYS and have a great week!
XO Barbara